Beypazarı, Ankara

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Anatolia
subdivision_type2 = Province
subdivision_name2 = Ankara
timezone= EET
utc_offset=+2


map_caption =Location of Beypazarı, Ankara within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
official_name = Beypazarı


image_caption = Taşmektep in Beypazarı, Ankara
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
map c
Turkey
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Ankara
population_total = 51841
population_urban = 34441
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 28.58
area_total_km2 = 1814
latd = 40
latm = 10
latNS = N
longd = 31
longm = 55
longEW = E
elevation_m = 675
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 06xxx
area_code = 0312
blank_info = 06
blank_name=Licence plate
leader_title = Governor
leader_name = Hikmet Aydın
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Mansur Yavaş
website = [http://www.beypazari-bld.gov.tr/ www.beypazari-bld.gov.tr]

Beypazarı, ancient Lagania, is a town and district of Ankara Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, approximately 100 km west of the city of Ankara. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 51,841 of which 34,441 live in the town of Beypazarı.cite web|url=http://www.die.gov.tr/nufus_sayimi/2000tablo5.xls|title=Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey|accessdate=2008-03-28|author=Turkish Statistical Institute|format=XLS|language=Turkish] [cite web|url=http://www.xist.org/cntry/turkey.aspx?levels=Ic%20Anadolu|title=Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units|accessdate=2008-03-28|author=GeoHive|language=English] The district covers an area of convert|1814|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on, [cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ytr.html|title=Statistical information on districts of Turkey|accessdate=2008-05-04|author=Statoids|language=English] and the average elevation in the center is convert|675|m|ft|0|abbr=on. The district contains three other small towns (Karaşar, Uruş, Kırbaşı) and 64 villages. It used to be an important city in Asia Minor in ancient times.

Etymology

The name "Beypazarı" means "The Bey's market" in Turkish, as in the Ottoman period this was an important military base and the cavalry stationed here were an important element of the local economy.

History

The area has a long history of occupation by Hittites, Phrygians, Ancient Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and the Ottoman Empire.

Originally a stop on a trade route connecting Istanbul to Baghdad, Beypazarı was known as "Lagania" (Greek: Λαγάνια), meaning "rocky peak" in the Luwian language during the Roman and Byzantine times, and the town was a regional administrative center.

Lagania belonged to the province of Galatia, which was occupied early in the 3rd century BC by Celtic tribes. The Gallic region was later (189 B.C.) subjected by the Romans and it became two Roman provinces: Galatia Prima and Galatia Secunda. Lagania was in the province of Galatia Prima but later received the name of Anastasiopolis during the reign of Emperor Anastasius I (491-518) after he had visited the city and liked it so much.

Like most Luwian cities located in West Anatolia, Lagania supported the Trojans during the famous Trojan war.

The town was also an episcopal see, suffragan of Ancyra (modern "Ankara"), mentioned by the "Notitiae Episcopatuum" up to the twelfth and thirteenth century.

The town was conquered by the Seljuk Turks in the 12th century, and settled by various lords of the Oghuz Turks, eventually becoming part of the Ottoman Empire. Gazi Gündüzalp who is the grandfather of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, is buried in the Beypazarı village of Hırkatepe.

Beypazarı today

Beypazarı today is a small town in a rural district famous for its carrots, (producing nearly 60% of Turkey's carrots), silverwork (Telkari), and a high quality natural mineral water. The crystal mineral trona, a kind of natural soda used in glass-making is extracted in Beypazarı.

With its rich history, architectural heritage and attractive rocky countryside Beypazarı is becoming increasingly attractive to visitors, especially day-trippers from Ankara. The cobbled streets of white Ottoman period buildings are particularly attractive; many of the old houses have been restored as hotels and restaurants (and are also popular with Turkish film directors looking for "authentic" locations. Every June the town holds its popular "Traditional Historical Houses, Handicrafts, Carrot and stew Festival". The visitors of course are bringing valuable income to the town, shopping for silverware and providing good custom for the food markets and restaurants.For many visitors a major attraction is the cuisine, which includes typical Turkish dishes such as the yoghurt drink "ayran", "tarhana", stuffed vine leaves, home-made sausage "mumbar", and a stew cooked in a stone-oven "güveç". Sweets include the sweet cream pudding called "höşmerim" and pastries including a dry buttery biscuit called "Beypazarı kurusu", and a renowned 80-layer "baklava". They are also very inventive with their carrots, drinking carrot juice and producing carrot-flavoured Turkish Delight and carrot ice-cream. Beypazarı is surrounded by good farmland and the fresh ingredients are a large part of why Beypazarı's cooling is so popular with visitors. One of the best-known eateries is the restored Ottoman house, the "Taş Mektep" restaurant. A popular gift to take back home is the sticky sausage-shaped fruit and walnut sweet "sucuk".

The town is unusual in Turkey for celebrating an Islamic festival ("Regaip Kandili", the conception of the prophet Muhammad) with lights and fireworks.

Beypazarı is a member of the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions (EAHTR). [cite web|url=http://www.historic-towns.org/documents/members/turkey.doc|title=Historic Towns of Turkey|accessdate=2008-03-28|author=European Association of Historic Towns and Regions|format=DOC|language=English]

Places of interest

* Hıdırlık Tepesi -hilltop view of the town
* Ottoman period buildings include the 17th century Suluhan Caravanserai, and the 13th century Sultan Alaedin Mosque.
* The "Kültür Evi" museum displaying items from Hittite, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times
* Inözü valley - steep-walled canyon, a green and pleasant place for a stroll, or to explore the caves, tombs and churches carved into the rock. There are cafes and restauarants for refreshments.
* There are many places for walks and picnics in the countryside surrounding Beypazarı including the banks of the Kirmir River, and "Eğriova Yaylası" and "Tekke Yaylası" areas of high meadow in the forest.

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://www.beypazari-bld.gov.tr/ District municipality's official website] tr icon / en icon
* [http://www.beypazari.gov.tr/ District governor's official website] tr icon
* [http://www.kenthaber.com/ilceler.aspx?IlceKodu=605 Beypazarı local news website] tr icon
* [http://www.beyforum.net Beypazarı share forum] tr icon
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BEYPAZARI Beypazarı Yahoo!Groups] tr icon
* [http://www.qupsheker.com/ankara-ve-ic-anadolu/ankara/beypazari/ Travel guide to Beypazarı] tr icon